The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has successfully completed a significant reforestation exercise in the Kimothon Forest, Trans Nzoia, planting 41,600 cypress trees across 21.6 hectares of forest land.
The initiative is part of the national effort to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, a campaign launched by President William Ruto.
Since the launch of the c ampaign in 2022, Kenya has made significant strides in environmental conservation, with over 800 million trees already planted nationwide.
The national drive is aimed at restoring the country's ecosystems, improving water sources, and creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Acting Chief Conservator of Forests, Zipporah Toroitich, emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that the short rains reforestation exercise aims to plant half a billion trees across the country.
“This initiative is not just about planting trees — it's about restoring ecosystems, securing water sources, and rebuilding livelihoods,” Toroitich said.
Central to the success of the program is community involvement where locals were encouraged to participate actively in planting, nurturing, and protecting the trees in their respective regions.
Toroitich underscored the importance of collective effort in ensuring the long-term survival of the trees.
However, she acknowledged some challenges, particularly the threat posed by uncontrolled livestock grazing, which endangers the survival of newly planted tree seedlings.
"We must work together to address these threats, ensuring that the trees planted today can thrive and grow into tomorrow's forests," she added.
The cypress trees planted in Kimothon Forest are not just part of a broader reforestation agenda; they also serve a critical purpose in protecting indigenous forests.
The cypress species will eventually be sold to licensed buyers, and their presence will create a buffer zone around core indigenous forest areas, safeguarding them from further degradation.
“This cypress buffer is a strategic move to ensure that our indigenous forests are shielded from both environmental threats and human encroachment,” Toroitich explained.
This reforestation effort is aligned with Kenya’s broader environmental stewardship goals under the theme: “Miti ni kazi yetu na urithi wetu”
The partnership between the government, local communities remains essential in securing a greener and more sustainable future.